TX HB3577

Creates a grant program administered by the criminal justice division to help local law enforcement agencies improve clearance rates for violent offenses (murder, capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery) and sexual offenses (indecency with a child, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault)

Grant funds may be used for hiring, training, and retaining investigators and forensic personnel; acquiring or upgrading evidence collection and forensic testing technology and equipment; and upgrading record management systems

Requires grant recipients to annually report clearance rates (broken down by arrest vs. exception), average time between offense and clearance for each offense category, and how grant funds were spent

Prohibits governmental entities from reducing funding to law enforcement agencies because they received a grant under this program

Requires the criminal justice division to periodically evaluate grant recipient practices to identify successful policies and include detailed program performance results in its biennial report; takes effect immediately with two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025